LARS Bohinen could quit Blackburn Rovers to keep his precious World Cup dream alive.

Bohinen has told Rovers boss Roy Hodgson he will consider leaving Ewood Park if he cannot be guaranteed a first team place in the Premiership.

Bohinen is fearful that he could be overlooked by Norwegian manager Egil Olsen if he cannot hold down a regular first team place.

And with Norway's final World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Switzerland on the horizon - time is running out for the Rovers playmaker.

Bohinen said: "I've spoken honestly with the manager and he knows how I feel.

"He said he cannot guarantee me a first team place and he does not want to let me go.

"The manager has his problems picking people to play, but I told him I have to look at my problems first.

"Of course I want to stay with Blackburn Rovers, but if I'm not in the team then I will be forced to look elsewhere.

"There is fierce competition for central midfield roles at the club but if I am not going to play then I should be allowed to play somewhere else.

"Playing in the the 1998 World Cup in France with Norway is a very important goal for me and, at 28, it could be my last chance of playing on such a stage. "I speak regularly with the Norway manager and he had told me as long as I get involved at Blackburn, even if that means playing every other game, I will continue to remain in his thoughts.

"I will just have to assess my situation at Blackburn week by week."

Bohinen was not a regular first team face either under Ray Harford or Tony Parkes last season.

But he believes his opportunities of an extended run have increased under Hodgson's regime.

"That may be the case but it doesn't seem I will be guaranteed a place," he added.

"I definitely feel I can challenge for a place under the new manager, unlike last season when I didn't have much of a look-in under Tony Parkes.

"Roy Hodgson has come in and made a lot of changes at the club, all for the good.

"But I've got to find a solution that is best for me because 1998 could be the biggest year of my football life.

"I only played on Saturday at Crystal Palace because Billy McKinlay was injured, but I more or less think I deserve to be in the team anyway. "The only thing that affects my thinking on my future is whether I'm playing or not."

The Pontin's League Premier Division clash against Preston North End will now take place at Deepdale on Wednesday at 7.00pm and not Monday.

Rovers today officially confirmed the two Coca-Cola Cup dates against Lancashire rivals Preston North End.

The first leg at Ewood will take place on Wednesday, September 17 (8.00 pm) with the second leg at Deepdale on Tuesday, September 30 (7.45).

Preston have allocated Rovers 2,000 terrace tickets (standing) at Deepdale. There are also a limited number of seats in the executive area of the Tom Finney Stand for Rovers' Executive patrons.

The ticket price is £30 and includes access to the Invincibles and West Rooms which includes bar and finger buffet.

Rovers expect demand to be high for this facility and are urging supporters to book their reservations as soon as possible.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.